Lake County man deemed competent for trial in women’s deaths

Court records state the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration notified Lake Superior court in January that 46-year-old James Lohnes of Crown Point had attained the ability to understand court proceedings at Logansport State Hospital and assist in his defense.

Lohnes faces murder charges in the January 2016 slayings of 86-year-old Velia Taneff and her 63-year-old Lana Taneff. Authorities say Lohnes had worked occasionally for the Calumet Township women as a handyman.

The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports defense attorneys told Judge Samuel Cappas during a hearing Tuesday they and the state were involved in discovery and not yet ready for trial. Cappas scheduled a hearing for June 12.